A CAT has been reunited with its owner- thanks to an Argus appeal.

The cat was injured by a gin trap in a field in Caldicot earlier this month. The trap was attached to the cat’s leg in the field at Bowsdens Lane in Penhow and was found by a member of the public on June 9.

The RSPCA said the cat’s leg had to be amputated as a result of its injury and issued an appeal for information.

Inspector Gemma Black said: “Sadly the cat’s leg was amputated-it was taken off straight away as the injury was so bad you could see the bones. It was horrendous.”

“She is only a young cat. She would have been in so much pain. It was lucky someone found her.”

Gin traps are mechanical traps designed to catch an animal by its leg, using spring-operated jaws with teeth or a serrated edge.

The use of gin traps has been illegal in the UK since 1958. However some traps are still being used to catch animals such as rabbits and foxes.

An RSPCA spokesman added: "The cat, which was not microchipped has now been reunited with its owner but we are still appealing for information about this incident on 0300 123 8018."